NEW YORK – To say that the Giants have been busy the past 48 hours is an understatement. The Giants could hit the 15-17 player signings benchmark by tonight if they continue at this pace. I see what Giants GM Jerry Reese is doing and it is fun to take this journey of evolution with him and guess what happens because he is not showing his hand. You must know the team well enough to come up with scenarios and quite frankly, if you’re one of those writers who has given up, don’t steal my formulas or ideas and print them as your own. I read everything related to the Giants daily. It’s like a kick in the gut when you put two and two together and check the timelines for story releases. If you want my work, pay me, don’t be a hack.

Now back to business, the Giants have made about a dozen deals over the last 48 hours and show no signs of stopping today. They know the cream of the crop is almost completely devoured by now and will make a couple more moves in my opinion by Friday night. It’s safe to say the Giants have addressed the tight end and cornerback areas considerably thus far. They also have S Chad Jones, CB Prince Amukamara, CB Corey Webster to work with too and TE Jake Ballard and TE Travis Beckum. How about signing both of the Andrews brothers (Shawn and Stacy)? Get those guys up to speed and on the field together and see what happens. I also think that signing DE Osi Umenyiora, S Deon Grant, LB Chase Blackburn are crucial for the defense and special teams group.

Let’s take a look at what has happened thus far. Giants GM Jerry Reese has solidified the cornerback position on defense. He knows the defensive line is fine but if a good deal presents itself, who knows? He knows the safety group is fine, maybe add one more. This tells me he will be attacking the linebacker group via the upcoming NFL draft. If he catches lightning in a bottle with a future LT, I think he will use the majority of the other picks on offense. I think it will be a LB or OL taken in round one this year. I hope it is another athletic linebacker to help out but at the same time think a ten year offensive lineman is needed right now. The recent roster moves also tell me the offensive line will be addressed via the draft and certainly the running back position.

Here are some of the recent signings by Big Blue this week. Some of the deals did not publicly state the terms.

NEW YORK – The New York Giants have made some roster moves already by signing WR Domenik Hixon, TE Jake Ballard and CB Bruce Johnson. The Giants have also released veteran RB Brandon Jacobs, who may want to test the market but return for less money and get that third ring we all know is coming to New York under QB Eli Manning. Come back to New York for a bit less Brandon, RB Ahmad Bradshaw is the No.1 RB in New York but the two players compliment each other well. Manning was also in the news this week for restructuring his contract to free up over $6.5 million dollars in cap space for 2012. The Giants will also need to pay DE Osi Umenyiora, who deserves to be paid a nice 3 or 4 year deal for consistent production on the field.

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning was released by the team this week, in an emotional press conference which included Jim Irsay. He has already begun checking out teams, including Denver where he was spotted this week and Miami where he will be soon. The Washington Redskins make a bold move giving up three 1st round picks (2012,2013,2014) and this years 2nd round pick, for this years No.2 overall pick from the St. Louis Rams. A pick most believe will be used on QB Robert Griffin III. The New York Jets sign QB Mark Sanchez long term with a five year $40 million dollar deal. Even WR Plaxico Burress was in the news and suggesting a return to the G-Men is always a possibility. I don’t know about that one.

It’s worth mentioning again how much I love the New York Giants using the franchise tag on punter Steve Weatherford. OL Kareem Mckenzie might be on his way out too. It sounds like the Giants are going to bulk up their offensive line this year which is a smart move. I would like to wish Brandon Jacobs all of the best in whatever he decides to do and Kareem McKenzie too, if he should leave. Of course, WR Mario Manningham is another big name floating around about possibly leaving the team. I hope that isn’t the case with Manningham but I wish him well too if he goes.

The NFL draft is next month and I think the Giants could use their first round pick on an offensive player for a change. I love the idea of getting a 10-year offensive lineman like OG Cordy Glenn 6’5″ 345 pounds in round one or OT Mike Adams 6’6″ 320 pounds. Perhaps, a stud tight end like Dwayne Allen 6’3″ 255 pounds or Coby Fleener 6’6″ 247 pounds. I doubt they will use a first round pick on a running back but I can see them taking one within the first four rounds. Giants GM Jerry Reese seems to be particularly astute at finding gems within the RB groups in later rounds, so it could wander into round five. I haven’t heard anything about special teams coach Tom Quinn yet but that is an area I expect will be addressed soon. It looks like K Lawrence Tynes has become a good luck charm for Big Blue and P Steve Weatherford is a rock star compared to other NFL punters. Hixon will help the return game and I expect WR Jerrel Jernigan to be primarily used as a WR. RB Da’Rel Scott is one to watch too. The Giants should also lock up LB Chase Blackburn for 3 years if possible in my opinion. I expect a linebacker to be drafted within the first four rounds. Be sure to come back and check out my full draft analysis by position.

What are your thoughts on some of the recent roster moves by Big Blue?

RD – nygreporter.com – RIP Alex Webster.

Check out New York Giants RB Rodney Hampton’s summer football camp at www.hampscamp.com and donate/contribute to the after school programs for kids!

NEW YORK – I feel very strongly about this. The next class to be inducted into the New York Giants Ring of Honor should include former GM Ernie Accorsi in my opinion. Along with Accorsi, guys like RB Rodney Hampton, LB Pepper Johnson, DT Keith Hamilton, P Jeff Feagles and DE Leonard Marshall should be considered as well. They all deserve to be a part of New York lure forever. Coming off a Super Bowl winning season, it would be cool to have them all with Super Bowl rings of their own. I haven’t heard anything announced about the upcoming class but it certainly should be interesting. To be honest, at times I get a history lesson when an old timer is inducted and I have to do my research on them. It makes it more fun if you ask me.

There are a few other guys like QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, RB Brandon Jacobs, DE Justin Tuck, DE Osi Umenyiora, OL Rich Seubert, OL Chris Snee, John Mara, Steve Tisch, Pat Hanlon and C Shaun O’Hara who will be up in lights one day too. But people forget about Ernie Accorsi and the long term contributions he has made for the team, even beyond his retirement that continue to pay off for Big Blue. It is time for this man to be honored the proper way, even if he doesn’t want it. I hope that the majority of Giants fans already know what I mean and agree with me. For the Giants fans that have “heard of him” but don’t know about him, you really need to read about this man. He is a legend in New York football.

I was one of the fans who were concerned when Mr. Accorsi handed over the team to current GM Jerry Reese. Not because I was worried about Reese but because I was so comfortable with Accorsi. Jerry Reese certainly can be considered one of those contributions to the team that continues to pay off. Accorsi gave Reese his full blessing with the brass at Big Blue, which made for a smooth transition for young buck Reese. And make no mistake about it, Jerry Reese has since made a name for himself and flourished with managing premium talent. He is particularly surgical with the NFL draft and just like his predecessor, has won me over. I trust his choices and know that he is trying to field the best possible team at all times. Yes, Giants GM Jerry Reese will certainly be added to the Ring of Honor one day but maybe not before, Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

Right now, we have the 2012 NFL Draft, 2012 Giants Minicamp, OTA’s, Schedule releases and analysis and a bunch of other interesting Giants news coming up. Be sure to come back and check it out!

Do you think Ernie Accorsi deserves to be inducted into the New York Giants Ring of Honor?

NEW YORK – That was one heck of a way to end a great season. The Giants defeat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Indianapolis. It took a fourth quarter comeback to win a second Super Bowl for Big Blue as QB Eli Manning wins his second Super Bowl MVP Award. Most seem to agree this win puts Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, you can include myself among them. There really is no way to describe the joy I’m feeling now and will feel for a very long time. I’m stuck someplace between numb and bursting with energy. Some where in between shocked and exhausted. I’m running on empty but so happy that it doesn’t matter at this point. The true blue fans have been waiting and anticipating this moment and when it finally arrives, it’s wonderful. So enjoy it!

Thank you to the New York Giants organization including the Mara and Tisch families. Thank you to Head Coach Tom Coughlin, the rest of the coaches and players. Thank you GM Jerry Reese, who has done an outstanding job, since taking over for Giants legend Ernie Accorsi. Go back and read all of my articles about Mr. Reese and you will see I have always been a fan of his work and have praised his draft skills and player transactions. Some of his moves however, had even me scratching my head this past offseason. In the NFL Lockout riddled 2011 year, players were coming and going at will in the NFL and the G-men lost some key players like WR Steve Smith, TE Kevin Boss, C Shaun O’Hara and OL Rich Seubert to retirement or contract situations. Then they lost CB Terrell Thomas, LB Clint Sintim, OT William Beatty, WR Domenik Hixon, LB Jonathan Goff and about ten more guys to the dreaded IR list (injured reserve). 2011 marks three straight years of injury epidemics for the G-men with at least 12 going on the season ending IR list, per year, that’s about 20% of the team going down for three straight years. But the Giants and Jerry Reese made all the right moves that had this team clicking by the end of the season. Congrats you are now Super Bowl Champions!

I thought singers Kelly Clarkson and Madonna did a good job with their respective areas of the nights entertainment. I thought NBC could have done a better job with the trophy presentation and post game stuff but thats why we have remote controls right? I also noticed audio problems coming from the NBC channel during the game. I suggest that Giants fans out there savor this moment and really enjoy this win for a couple of days. Do not get into any talks about the draft or who is signing what contract and when, just relax for a few days and enjoy winning the Super Bowl.

NEW YORK – You can be sure of one thing on Super Bowl Sunday, the New England Patriots are going to play unconventional football. The Giants special teams group will need to play their best game of the year. I expect Big Blue to win 38-27 as I’ve said before. Giants DC Perry Fewell will need to have his head screwed on right for this one and stay focused on the game plan. The Giants defense is going to hit Tom Brady often and knock him down every few plays. Keep an eye on those speedy running backs of the Patriots on the outside. I would work on that a lot and defending play action. Brady will throw five or six bomb passes in this game and at least one will get intercepted. Corey Webster deserves a Super Bowl INT for his season.

Some specific players that will need to bring their game to another level are DT Linval Joseph, DT Chris Canty, WR Jerrel Jernigan, LB Jacquian Williams, CB Aaron Ross, RB Ahmad Bradshaw and TE Jake Ballard. There are other players too but if these guys played the game of the year for themselves personally, the Giants might have the lead the entire game. With only one win left until NFL immortality, the Giants must follow the leader and relax as Eli Manning does. He is calm, cool and deadly. The Giants players and coaches know they can beat this Patriots team, they must not let that get to them. Stay focused and relaxed and enjoy the ride, because Eli Manning will not be denied. Giants fans will most likely see a lot of the ‘Nascar’ defense with all defensive ends lined up. This will create havoc and force a turnover or two possibly, hopefully.

My pre-game defensive stars of the game predictions are DE Jason Pierre-Paul, LB Mathias Kiwanuka, DE Osi Umenyiora, S Antrel Rolle and CB Corey Webster. The Giants have five main threats from the Patriots offense, they are QB Tom Brady, WR Wes Welker, TE Rob Gronkowski, TE Aaron Hernandez and RB Danny Woodhead. The Giants offensive threats are deeper then the Patriots when you look at it. The offensive weapons for Big Blue include QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Victor Cruz, WR Mario Manningham, RB Brandon Jacobs and TE Jake Ballard. Giants special teams coach Tom Quinn is going to need a solid game plan for the Patriots in this game. Expect the desperate Belichick to turn into trickster if the game is close.

How would you stop the Patriots offense if you were the Giants defensive coordinator?

#ALLIN is the twitter trend for the G-men. Along with #DoYouBelieve

RD – nygreporter.com

Please Support New York Giants Legend, George Martin’s “A Journey for 9/11” Charity. Never Forget!

side note: The New Jersey Governor’s media department sent me an email asking me about a Giants victory parade and where it should be held. I believe there should be a celebration in both New York and New Jersey. MetLife stadium seems to make the most sense for a New Jersey celebration.

NEW YORK – What an incredible season it has been for the Giants. A month or so ago, fans were wondering if they would make it to the playoffs at all and here they were, finding themselves battling for the NFC Championship crown. If the Giants beat the 49ers, they would be in the Super Bowl once again. Guess what? The Giants beat the 49ers 20-17 in overtime and will be going to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis for a rematch against the New England Patriots. Hollywood could not write a more riveting script. The Giants have owned the Patriots since 2007 including the preseason, regular season and postseason. The Patriots are the real underdogs in this game and face the hungry NFC Champion Giants.

Let me just pause for a moment to acknowledge QB Eli Manning. This guy has weathered every storm thrown his way and really showed the NFL world how tough he is last night. Manning was getting beat down the entire game by a rabid 49ers defense and he kept getting up and performing. I have always respected Eli Manning but the way he played last night brought me to another level of respect for him. Easy Eli is a tough guy and a true Iron Man. I’m glad he is our quarterback and I’m happy that he is getting the respect he deserved all along.

This game was a battle from the opening kickoff until the final FG in OT. The 49ers defense played a terrific game and my hat is off to them. The Giants took a 10-7 lead into the locker room at halftime and seemed to pick up some momentum with a nice drive prior to heading inside. The second half of the game was intense. Both teams were fighting all the way up to the coin toss for overtime and beyond. Make no mistake, the Giants earned their spot in the Super Bowl. I am very proud to say that I am a Giants fan and really proud of what Eli Manning did on the field. Hey Giants fans, we’re going to the Super Bowl, again!

Let’s take a look at my notes from the game.

QB Eli Manning – What can you say about Manning? This guy is simply awesome and for all his quiet demeanor, a true tough guy. He finished with 316 yards 2 TD’s 0 INT’s

RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw ran hard as usual and had his hands full with a rabid 49ers defense. He finished with 74 yards rushing and 52 yards receiving.

WR Hakeem Nicks – Nicks got banged up early but returned to the game. He finished with 55 yards.

DE Justin Tuck – Tuck was playing on another level last night and finished with 1.5 sacks.

LB Michael Boley – Boley was doing a lot more out there then the final stats would lead you to believe. He plays with a lot of passion.

NEW YORK – The Giants are now only two wins away from the rings. The Giants played their hearts out last night and beat the Green Bay Packers 37-20. I would have normally written this last night but I was celebrating all night long. The entire Giants community has been correctly stating that the team not only beat the Packers but also the refs. Is this what we have come to in the NFL? Teams losing to atrocious refereeing? Roger Goodell better look into this and hand out some punishment including a four game suspension or something to the effect of what a player would receive. This is the second round of the playoffs and completely inexcusable. If he wants to maintain the integrity of the game in the fans mind, something needs to be done about this. There were multiple blown calls and non-calls made last night but the Giants overcame it all and will play the San Francisco 49ers next week out west for the NFC championship.

The first half of football was pretty balanced and fun to watch. Both teams seemed to move the ball well and traded points a few times. The Packers defense was playing surprisingly well and I was a bit shocked by how many cheap shots they were taking on Eli Manning with no calls from the refs. Right before the teams headed into the locker room, Manning threw a Hail Mary pass into the endzone that WR Hakeem Nicks pulled down to give Big Blue a 20-10 halftime lead. The second half saw some of the same action with QB Aaron Rodgers moving the ball well but the fourth quarter was all about Big Blue. Everyone knows that Eli Manning owns the fourth quarter and he proved it again. The Giants defense also stepped up big time in the second half and started getting to Rodgers often and causing havoc on the field. The long break really seemed to make the Packers sluggish and out of sync.

This Giants victory sets up some very interesting scenarios for fans. The first being the San Francisco game next week. Giants fans still remember that playoff game in 2003 where another blown call by the refs cost the Giants the opportunity to win. This should be billed simply as a revenge game for the fans, although I doubt the media will look at it that way. If the Giants get their revenge and beat the 49ers an even more interesting scenario unfolds. The Patriots play the Ravens next week for the AFC championship. Regardless of who wins that game, the G-Men will see a Super Bowl rematch. I have no preference on who New York plays but a rematch against the Ravens would be billed as another revenge game (2000 Super Bowl loss) and the Patriots (2007 Super Bowl win) game would be another New York vs. Boston type of scenario. I’d be happy just to make it back to the Super Bowl regardless of who we play and of course take home the Lombardi trophy when the game is over. The Road Warriors have returned!

Let’s take a look at my notes from the game.

QB Eli Manning – Manning was simply brilliant once again and finished the game with 330 yards 3 TD’s and 1 INT. Manning is the hottest QB in the NFL right now.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw was running hard as usual and made some critical plays late in the game. He finished with 63 yards on the ground and 21 yards receiving.

WR Hakeem Nicks – Nicks had a tremendous game and finished with 165 yards and 2 TD’s. He was clearly Manning’s favorite target last night.

LB Michael Boley – Boley is such a tough guy and great leader. He finished the night second on the team in tackles and had 2 sacks.

DE Justin Tuck – Tuck didn’t make very many tackles but he was disrupting QB Aaron Rodgers comfort zone the entire game.

WR Victor Cruz – The Salsa Man was garnering a lot of attention but still finished with 74 yards 0 TD’s.

S Antrel Rolle – Rolle made some key plays out there last night and was the leading tackler for Big Blue once again. Rolle = Beast.

RB Brandon Jacobs – Jacobs tried to stay busy in this game that was all about passing but he did get 22 yards and the dagger TD that finished off the Packers in the 4th quarter.

CB Corey Webster – Webster continues to play on another level this year and he had another great game last night.

S Deon Grant – Grant was hitting everything that came into his area and also had 1 INT. He got banged up but returned to the game.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul – JPP was getting double teamed for most of the game. This seems to be the story every week now. JPP = Beast!

WR Mario Manningham – Super Mario had a solid game and contributed 31 yards and 1 TD to the victory. Nice game Mario!

CB Aaron Ross – Ross was out there making plays and really took his game to another level last night. He made a few key plays that could have changed the game.

LB Jacquian Williams – Williams is having one heck of a season for a rookie and now finds himself in the NFC Championship game.

TE Jake Ballard – Ballard had a rough night and finished with 17 yards. I expect him to get more involved next week.

S Kenny Phillips – I love the way Phillips plays the game of football. The hard hitting safety finished with 1 forced fumble.

DE Osi Umenyiora – Osi gets my defensive game ball. The Giants need to pay this man. He finished with 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

DT Chris Canty – Canty was having a good game before leaving with a knee injury. He did not return to the game.

K Lawrence Tynes – Tynes went 3/4 on FG attempts with one blocked and 4/4 on extra point attempts. He also had a kickoff go out of bounds.

P Steve Weatherford – The Weatherman was brilliant once again and has really become the best special teams weapon on the team.

Giants Offense – What can I say? The Giants offense was awesome last night and put up 37 points on the best team in football.

Giants Defense – The Giants defense got off to a slow start in the first half but exploded in the second half to secure the victory.

Giants Special Teams – The special teams recovered two onside kicks and had a decent game but they still need improvement.

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